Three Sent to Prison for Holding Three Illegal Immigrants Captive for Ransom

Three Mexican citizens were sentenced to three years in California state prison after pleading no contest to charges that they held three illegal immigrants captive for ransom.

The men were sentenced by Judge Raymond P. Van Stockum on June 30 in West Valley Superior Court after pleading no contest to false imprisonment.

Jose DeJesus Horta Gutterrez, 34, Leonardo Rios Sanchez, 24, and Alvaro Barajas, 38, were arrested June 17 after San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies found them with the captives at a home in Rancho Cucamonga.

One of the captives had managed to call the local Police station. Police arrived to find the Mexican citizens, whom had all paid $2000-$3000 for assistance to cross the border being held in lieu of an addition $1000. Officials state that the captives will likely be deported.